Man killed, homes razed

 TWO government houses were burnt in Kerema, Gulf, last weekend by angry Moveave villagers in retaliation for the killing of their relative.

Gulf provincial police commander Lincoln Gerari said an argument started between two families in the provincial capital on Saturday night over an alleged extra marital affair.

“The argument led to a fight in which Thomas Posou was hit on the head with a timber,” Gerari said. 

“He was rushed to the Kerema General Hospital but died on arrival.” 

He said Posou’s relatives and other villagers from Moveave, in Malalaua district, travelled to Kerema and burnt down two houses belonging to the Agriculture Department.

He added that the villagers were armed with bush knives and bows and arrows. 

“The Moveave people then attempted to break into the Kerema Police Station to kill the two suspects who were held in the cells,” Gerari said.

“Police officers held the angry mob off, after the third attempt the angry relatives left and set up a roadblock on a section of the Kerema highway.”

Gerari said the relatives of the deceased demanded that police release the two suspects to them and for the provincial administrator to give a peace offering to them before roadblock would be lifted.

“A peace talk was held yesterday (Monday) afternoon with the Moveave people, the provincial administrator and the police and the villagers have agreed to lift the roadblock and allow people to travel on the highway.”

Gerari commended his policemen who manned the station under pressure and did not use guns or fire warning shots.

“I thank my police officers and give them credit for withstanding the pressure during the weekend,” he said.

He added that the two suspects were still in police custody while investigations were continuing into the incident.